The Story of Deadstick, The Airport Kitten

New York: G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 1934. First edition of this striking picture book about a lazy kitten who lives at the airport, offering a cat’s-eye view of the different models of aircraft: “Deadstick was very air-minded and almost never missed a take-off or a landing.” Written and illustrated by Florida aviatrix Louise Turck Stanton, and published the year after her death, the narrative is notable for its attention to aeronautic detail; Stanton herself makes an appearance in Deadstick’s catalog, flying a Sikorsky amphibian. In her foreword, Amelia Earhart writes: “about all phases of aviation the younger members of the family are usually much the wiser. Thus in writing of flying it behooves authors to tell not only a brave tale but one which is scientifically correct as well. . . . The Story of Deadstick was written by a real pilot who flew very well and loved flying.” A near-fine copy. Oblong quarto, measuring 8 x 10.25 inches: [54]. Original pictorial red cloth stamped in black, original unclipped color pictorial dust jacket. Color pictorial pastedowns, title page printed in red and black, color illustrations throughout text. Faint scattered foxing, light edgewear and smudging to jacket. (Inventory #: 1004117)